Church Opens Arms for Displaced Muslims in CAR: Father Xavier Fagba wandered past the wooden pews inside St Peters Parish Church in the small, shabby town of Boali in the Central African Republic (CAR), and patted a few childrens heads before settling down to help a tearful six-year-old girl who had stubbed her toe. The Muslims - about 650 in all - arrived at the church on 16 and 17 January Father Xavier Fagba embraced them and cared for them by following the tradition of Jesus Christ. The Muslims discovered in our church that the God we worship is the same as their God, said Father Xavier Fagba. And thats the vision the whole of this country needs to have.”We should consider them as our brothers. What happens here gives me a certain conviction, said Father Fagba. In a country busily ripping itself apart in a bloodthirsty cycle of revenge, Father Xavier Fagba and his congregation are a remarkable exception. IN Central African republic (CAR) the oppressed and brutalised Muslims (15% of the total population) have found shelters inside his church. Muslims families camped out in the aisles, luggage piled high on the altar, bags of food in the font, Christmas bunting still hanging from the rafters - are all terrorised humans seeking sanctuary, convinced that if they leave the compound they will be killed on the spot on the dusty streets of Boali by militant belonging to Christian Revenge Groups. Previously, Balaka militants claiming to be Muslims leashed havoc against Christian population, the anti-Balaka Christian Revenge Groups vowed to repeat the crime themselves. Only religious personalities with sense from Divine could help cease the circle of violence and this Church has taken a lead. Though extremists among the Christian militia threatened him, yet he said: When I did this, nobody in the community understood me. They attacked and threatened me. Father Fagba has struggled to find enough food and supplies to look after his guests. Father Fagba said some people in the town appreciate what he is trying to do and help those trapped inside. However, when some local businesspersons began bringing food and water to the church a few weeks ago, he says they were quickly targeted by the Christian anti-balaka militia and wounded and threatened. Imam Omar Kobine and Archbishop Dieudonne Nzapalainga Join against conflict: - The conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) is often described as being between Muslims and Christians but two religious leaders are working together to end the bloodshed that has displaced about 20% of the population. It began last year when the imam, Omar Kobine Layama, sought refuge at the residence of the archbishop, Dieudonne Nzapalainga, head of the Catholic Church in CAR, after receiving death threats from the anti-Muslim militia, known as the anti-Balaka. April 22 2014 Read more - bbc/news/world-africa-26938341
Posted on: Tue, 22 Apr 2014 16:31:16 +0000
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